Nonna's Homemade Pappardelle with Wild Mushroom Ragù
A rustic Italian pasta dish where hand-rolled pappardelle is tossed with a rich, earthy mushroom ragù made using time-honored techniques. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 40 minutes pairs fresh pappardelle pasta, sliced mixed wild mushrooms, finely diced shallots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz fresh pappardelle pasta
- 8 oz, sliced mixed wild mushrooms
- 1, finely diced shallots
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, add 8 oz fresh pappardelle, and cook for 3 minutes until al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, add 1 finely diced shallot and 2 minced garlic cloves, and cook for 2 minutes until softened but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 8 oz sliced mixed wild mushrooms to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 8 minutes until mushrooms are golden and release their liquid.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme, then simmer gently for 3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: Toss the drained pappardelle with the mushroom ragù, adding reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time until the sauce clings evenly to the pasta.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Nonna's Homemade Pappardelle with Wild Mushroom Ragù take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (25 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Nonna's Homemade Pappardelle with Wild Mushroom Ragù?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep fresh pappardelle pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Nonna's Homemade Pappardelle with Wild Mushroom Ragù?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Nonna's Homemade Pappardelle with Wild Mushroom Ragù for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Nonna's Homemade Pappardelle with Wild Mushroom Ragù?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 15-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 15-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
